Paul Bissonnette Reacts to Panthers Player's Ejection vs. Hurricanes

"I don’t think there was malicious intent going into that," Bissonnette said. "I think he was going stick-on-stick, and I believe he was trying to roll off of it and not cause that type of damage."

Chelios agreed the play did not appear intentional but acknowledged the danger involved.

"It’s a bang bang play, it’s unfortunate," Chelios said. "If [Blake] doesn’t come back it’s a good call, if he does, I don’t know. He took a pretty good shot."

On Sportsnet, Bieksa called it the right decision by officials.

"Typically, it’s a defenseman going back for these pucks, and they have the experience of having a forecheck once they hit them so they can put themselves in the right situation," Bieksa said. "But Blake does a good job, he does a good job for the most part.

"A couple head fakes going back for this and then he actually braces for contact. The only thing Blake can do a little bit better is, before bracing for contact, get against the boards so he doesn't have this hit."

Blake left the ice briefly but returned for the second period. Luostarinen was given a five-minute major, a game misconduct, and a subsequent ejection for a major boarding penalty.

The Panthers were leading 1-0 at the time and went on to win 6-2, taking a 3-0 series lead. Game 4 is Monday in Sunrise, FL, with the Hurricanes facing elimination.